Sabah Newspaper Interview
September 2003
Nazire Dedeman
Founder President of Umut Foundation
Who supported Umut Foundation for Individual Disarmament campaign?
Umut Foundation continues its campaign of Individual Disarmament since its establishment in 1993. The biggest support for the campaign comes from the responsible citizens who are sensitive to the issue. Also, media realized the importance of the matter and do not leave us alone. Media conveys our message to the public and plays a very important role for raising public awareness. We expect the same support from law makers and authorities who re the key for the solution of this problem.
How many people signed Umut Foundations campaign of Individual Disarmament until today?
We collected around 20,000 signatures that said no to individual armament for the last ten years. 44 establishments also participated in the campaign.
How many family did she reache after her son Umuts death who lost his life with his friends gun 10 years ago?
While Umut Foundation fought against individual armament, she contacted to many victims, who lost their lives with a bullet shot from an individual gun, families. However, we do not have a mission to gather victims in our body, as the Foundation is not a support group.
What is the approach of Turkey?
Sensitivity towards individual armament problem is increasing for the last two years. Of course, it is not enough yet. We know it is impossible to solve the problem in the short term. It is because, the problem is cultural and laws are inadequate as well as penalties to be not deterrent.
What is the approach of the State?
The State is insensitive to the matter. Above all, when MPs start their duty, their first demand is to obtain a gun. The State already gives them this right. The same thing is valid for the armament of the man in the street. Obtaining of gun license was made easy and ordinary. The laws have legal loops; one of our works, perhaps one of the most important ones, is on this subject. We set up commisions that study Firearms and Knives Law and Toy Regulation. After these comissions do necessary works, we will submit a new, contemporary, up-to-date Bill to the concerned authorities. We are carrying out this work together with Turkey Bar Association.
What kind of message should be given to parents?
The most important message to be given to parent is to raise children in a peaceful and compromising environment. Children should be taught rule of law from the early ages. Children should be protected from violence scenes that is shown often in media and clarified from toys represent violence.
What is your opinion about Disarmament day? We will be glad, if you write in detail.
Individual armament is a very important problem that claims lives. Moreover, deaths caused by individual arms extend to a point where child death incidents increase. What we mean by individual armament is that individuals who live in the same society take up firearms and knives and other tools without belonging to ideological reason. On average 300,000 people die a year due to an individual gun. Therefore, individual disarmament should be accepted as a serious problem that must be solved. Individual Disarmament day is therfore celebrated. Umut Foundation tries to draw attention of the public to the issue by organising various activities.